Packaging With Improved Reclosable Opening

ABSTRACT

A packaging with improved reclosable opening is disclosed having a packaging body. The packaging body has an upper front main packaging sheet; a lower front main packaging sheet and a back main packaging sheet which are sealed together to form an edge-to-edge sealing. A reclosable opening is provided for inserting objects into the packaging. A diverting is means predisposed in such a manner and has a dimension sufficient to cover the reclosable opening to direct airflow away from the reclosable opening when there is an increase in internal air pressure. A weakened sealing is formed at a part of the edge-to-edge sealing wherein the weakened sealing ruptures when the increase in internal air pressure has build up to a critical point. When increased internal air pressure has build up to a critical point, the weakened sealing ruptures to allow air to vent through. The critical point is reached when the internal pressure is greater than external pressure to a sufficient extent to rupture the weakened sealing. The weakened sealing can be created by using a heat sealing temperature which is lower than the sealing temperature used for forming the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing, having a designated sealing area smaller than the sealing area of the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing, forming a notch on part of the edge-to-edge sealing, or disposing a film between the front and back main packaging sheets on part of the edge-to-edge sealing, wherein the film is made of a second material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on International Application No.PCT/SG2005/000381, filed on Nov. 9, 2005, which in turn corresponds toMalaysian Patent Application No. PI20054012. filed on Aug. 26, 2005 andpriority is hereby claimed under 35 USC § 119 based on theseapplications. Each of these applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety into the present application.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of packaging and moreparticularly to a packaging with improved reclosable opening which issuitable for household usage, especially for use as packaging forfoodstuff in microwave oven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frozen or shelf stable prepared foods that are intended to be reheatedusing microwave oven are becoming increasingly popular. Excess food orfood being prepared in advance can be packaged and stored. Consumersonly need to heat up those packaged food in the microwave oven prior toconsuming.

During the heating of the food in a microwave oven, the moisture contentof the food is rapidly heated and transformed into steam. As thetemperature of the packaging increases during heating, the pressurewithin the packaging increases. Consumers usually puncture holes or cuta corner or pierce holes on the packaging to allow the steam to ventfrom the packaging during heating.

Thus, a packaging having a weakened sealing or a valve which allow thesteam to vent during the process of heating would provide an improvedmethod for heating food in microwave oven. In the prior technology,packaging with weakened sealing or valve which allow the steam to escapefrom the packaging are disclosed. However, these packaging are onlysuitable for the food manufacturer as it is not practical for ahousehold user to have a thermal sealing machine or a heat sealer toseal it after putting the foodstuff into the packaging.

In the present invention, the packaging is modified to cater for theneed of household users, who do not have access to a thermal sealingdevice, by having a reclosable opening, a diverting means and weakenedsealing on the packaging. A reclosable opening functions as an openingfor inserting the object, especially foodstuff into the packaging. Thepackaging can be closed up by reclosable opening to store, without usingheat sealing or other adhesive. On the other hand, a diverting means ispredisposed in such a manner and having a dimension sufficient to coverthe reclosable opening. The diverting means is joined with mainpackaging sheets at the upper portion to direct airflow away from thereclosable opening. When the increased internal air pressure builds upto a critical point, the weakened sealing ruptures to allow air to ventthrough.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a packaging with areclosable opening, a diverting means and a weakened sealing which issuitable for the convenience of user who do not have a thermal sealingdevice, especially household user for use in microwave oven forreheating purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

For the purpose of this patent application, the term “packaging” usedthroughout the specification includes all kind of pouches within thescope of the claims. It is to be understood that the use of the term isnot limiting the scope of the claims to certain designs and/orembodiments of the packaging according to the invention.

Accordingly, the current invention relates to a packaging with improvedreclosable opening includes a diverting means which is predisposed insuch a manner and having a dimension sufficient to cover the reclosableopening, preferably a zipper, to direct airflow away from the zipperwhen there is an increase in internal air pressure and a weakenedsealing. When the internal pressure has reached a critical point, thepackaging will thus rupture at the weakened sealing where the air ventsthrough.

The current invention can be used for heating food in a microwave oven.The reclosable opening enable consumers to insert objects, especiallyfoodstuff into the packaging. The packaging can be closed up by usingthe reclosable opening without the need of a heat sealing or otherthermal sealing machine. The weakened sealing on the other hand providesa method without the need of puncturing the packaging prior to heatingin microwave oven.

In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a packagingincludes an upper front packaging sheet, a lower front packaging sheetand a back packaging sheet which are sealed together to form anedge-to-edge sealing. The term “edge-to-edge sealing” is used in thisspecification to refer to the all-round sealing along the marginal edgeof a packaging sheet as it is folded to enclose an object. One or moreportion of the sealable edge may be made frangible or more specificallya weakened sealing, to vent increased internal pressure. The weakenedsealing can be created by:

a) using a heat sealing temperature which is lower than the sealingtemperature used for forming the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing.b) having a designated sealing area smaller than the sealing area of therest of the edge- to-edge sealing.c) forming a notch on part of the edge-to-edge sealing. d) disposing afilm between the front and back main packaging sheets on part of theedge-to-edge sealing, wherein the film is made of second material.

In the preferred embodiment, the weakened sealing is created bydisposing a film made of second material between front and back mainpackaging sheets. The film includes all physical shapes, such as narrowtips, triangular or tapering shapes.

In one preferred embodiment, the material of the packaging sheet andfilm is selected from any one or in combination of polyethylene and itsderivatives, polyester and its derivatives, polypropylene and itsderivatives, nylon and its derivatives or any suitable polymer. Theupper front main packaging sheet, lower front main packaging sheet andback main packaging sheet are made of a first material, while the film,which creates a weakened sealing, is made of a second material. Any oneof main packaging sheet can be made of a third material, provided thesealing among the main packaging sheets are stronger than the weakenedsealing.

The packaging includes any one of a flexible three-side sealed pouch,standing pouch and flexible six-side sealed pouch.

Embodiments of the invention will appear more clearly in the followingdescription with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed pouch of thecurrent invention illustrating the weakened sealing which is created bydisposing of a film made of second material.

FIG. 2 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed pouch of thecurrent invention illustrating the weakened sealing which is created byhaving top sealing with width smaller than the sealing area of the restof the edge-to-edge sealing.

FIG. 2.1 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed pouch of thecurrent invention illustrating the weakened sealing which is created byhaving a designated sealing area smaller than the sealing area of therest of the edge-to-edge sealing.

FIG. 3 shows the top view of a flexible three-side-sealed pouch of thecurrent invention illustrating the weakened sealing which is created byforming of a notch.

FIG. 4 shows the layers of the weakened sealing, which is created when afilm made of second material disposed between the upper front packagingsheet and back packaging sheet.

FIG. 5 illustrates the zipper as reclosable opening for inserting objectinto the packaging.

FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the center.

FIG. 6.1 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the center whereinupper front packaging sheet and its extended part, the diverting meansis made of a second material.

FIG. 7 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the sealed edge.

FIG. 7.1 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the sealed edge whereinupper front packaging sheet and its extended part, the diverting meansis made of a second material.

FIG. 8 shows the layers of main packaging sheet, a diverting means,weakened sealing and the reclosable opening.

FIG. 9 shows perspective view of a standing pouch according to thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows perspective view of a flexible six-side sealed pouchaccording to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

FIG. 1 shows the top view of a packaging of the current invention.According to the present invention, flexible three-side-sealed pouch(100) is one form of the preferred embodiment. The flexiblethree-side-sealed pouch consists of a packaging body comprising an upperfront main packaging sheet (102), a lower front main packaging sheet(201) and a back main packaging sheet (not shown) which are sealedtogether to form an edge-to edge sealing, reclosable opening (101)preferably zipper, a diverting means (103) and weakened sealing (104).The zipper (101) is predisposed in such a manner to be covered by thediverting means (103). In accordance with current invention, FIG. 1 alsoillustrates a diverting means (103), which is predisposed in such amanner and having a dimension sufficient to cover the reclosable opening(101) to direct airflow away from the reclosable opening (101) whenthere is an increase in internal air pressure. When the increasedinternal air pressure builds up to a critical point, packaging willrupture at the weakened sealing (104) to allow the air to vent through.The critical point is reached when the internal air pressure is greaterthan external air pressure to a sufficient extent to rupture theweakened sealing (104).

In the practice of current invention, the diverting means (103) is anextended part from the upper front main packaging sheet (102). Thediverting means (103) can also be another film, which sealed between theupper front main packaging sheet (102) and back main packaging sheetform a flange or flap. According to the current invention, the frontmain packaging sheet (102) and its extended part, the diverting means(103) is made of a first material. In another preferred embodiment,front main packaging sheet (102) and its extended part, the divertingmeans (103), may be made of second material as shown in FIG. 6.1. Thesealing between the front main packaging sheet (102) and back mainpackaging sheet will thus become the weakened sealing (104) in FIG. 6.1.

To accomplish an important function of the invention, there is shown inFIG. 1, a weakened sealing (104), created by disposing of a film made ofa second material. The film is disposed between two layers of the mainpackaging sheet, preferably on the top part of edge-to-edge sealing. Thesealing between the second material with any one of main packaging sheetis weaker than the sealing among the main packaging sheets. Theedge-to-edge sealing will be further discussed in FIG. 8.

The weakened sealing (104) can also be a seal with a width smaller thanthe sealing width of the rest of the edge-to-edge sealing as shown inFIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the top sealing area, the weakened sealing (104)with sealing width smaller than other sealing area, wherein the sealingbar used to create top sealing is having a width smaller than thesealing bar for other sealing areas. The smaller sealing width is weakercompared to a sealing, which is sealed by the same means but with widersealing.

FIG. 2.1 illustrates the weakened sealing (104) which is a sealing witharea smaller than the sealing area of the rest of edge-to-edge sealing.This designated sealing area can be created by indent of the sealingbar.

Another embodiment of weakened sealing (104) is shown in FIG. 3. Aweakened sealing (104) is created by forming a notch on part ofedge-to-edge sealing.

FIG. 4 figuratively shows layers of the weakened sealing (104), which iscreated when a film (202) made of second material is disposed betweenthe upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back main packaging sheet(203). The weakened sealing (104) can be at any part of the edge-to-edgesealing. However, the weakened sealing is preferably at the top part ofedge-to-edge sealing. Note that when the weakened sealing is at the sidepart of edge-to-edge sealing, the film, (202) is disposed in betweenlower front main packaging sheet (201) and back main packaging sheet(203). The main packaging sheets are made of first material. In anotherembodiment, any one of the main packaging can be made of a thirdmaterial.

In FIG. 5, there is shown the reclosable opening (101), preferably azipper which is made of a pair of male and female elements, 301 and 302,which interlock to each other. The zipper is openable and reclosable toallow user to insert the objects, especially foodstuffs. Thus, theconsumers can heat up the food in this packaging without the need ofpuncturing the packaging prior to heating in microwave oven. The femaleelement (301) is on the lower front main packaging sheet (201) while themale element (302) is on the upper layer of the front main packagingsheet (102) or vice versa.

FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of the pouch at the center, illustratingthe position of the diverting means (103) and zipper (301 and 302),which are predisposed in such a manner that the zipper (301 and 302) iscovered by the diverting means (103). The diverting means (103) directairflow away from the zipper (301 and 302) when there is an increase ininternal air pressure. When the increased air pressure has build up to acritical point, the packaging will rupture at the weakened sealing (104)to allow the air to vent through but the zipper (301 and 302) remainintact as it is covered by diverting means (103). The critical point isreached when the internal air pressure is greater than external airpressure to a sufficient extent to rupture the weakened sealing (104).According to the preferred embodiment of current invention, thediverting means (103) is extended from upper front main packaging sheet(102). A few made of second material (202) is sandwiched between upperfront main packaging sheet (102) and back main packaging sheet (203).The sealing of the second material with the main packaging sheet is theweakened sealing (104).

FIG. 6.1 shows another embodiment of present invention, wherein upperfront main packaging sheet (102) and its extended part, the divertingmeans (103) is made of a second material. Part of the front mainpackaging sheet (102) detaches from the rest of the packaging when anincrease in internal air pressure has build up to a critical point asthe sealing between second material and main packaging sheet is theweakened sealing (104).

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, thereis shown in FIG. 7 the cross-section of the pouch at the sealed edge. Afilm (202) is sandwiched between upper front main packaging sheet (102)and back main packaging sheet (203) to create a weakened sealing. Thefilm (202) is made of second material. The extended part of upper frontmain packaging sheet (102) is diverting means (103). The weakenedsealing can be at any part of edge-to-edge sealing in which the film(202) can also be disposed between lower front main packaging sheet(201) and back main packaging sheet (203).

In another embodiment, the upper front-main packaging sheet (102) andits extended part, the diverting means (103) can be made of a secondmaterial as illustrated in FIG. 6.1. The cross-section of the pouch atthe sealed edge is shown in FIG. 7.1. The sealing between upper frontmain packaging sheet (102), which is made of a second material, and backmain packaging sheet (203) is weaker then the rest of edge-to-edgesealing. When an increase in internal air pressure has build up to acritical point, part of said diverting means (103) or more specificallypart of front main packaging sheet (102) detaches from the rest of thepackaging.

FIG. 8 shows the perspective view for different layers of packagingsheets of the current invention according to the preferred embodiment.The extension of upper front main packaging sheet (102) forms thediverting means (103) wherein the diverting means has a dimensionsufficient to covers the reclosable opening, or more particularly zipper(301 and 302), to direct airflow away from the zipper (301 and 302) whenthere is an increase in internal air pressure. The zipper (301 and 302)is openable and reclosable. The zipper is an opening for users to insertobject into the packaging. There is shown in FIG. 8, a film made ofsecond material is disposed between upper front main packaging sheet(102) and back main packaging sheet (203). The edge-to-edge sealing ofthe film (202) with upper front main packaging sheet (102) and back mainpackaging sheet (203) forms a weakened sealing. The edges the packagingare sealed to produce the edge-to-edge sealing at the area pointed witharrows.

The packaging is not only limited to three-side-sealed flexible pouch.Other forms of packaging can also be used with the current inventionsuch as standing pouch (400) as illustrated in FIG. 9 and flexiblesix-side sealed pouch (500) as illustrated in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 9, there is shown a standing pouch (400) as one form of thepreferred embodiment of current invention. Standing pouch (400) isformed by inserting a layer of packaging sheet (401) at the bottom ofthe pouch between lower front main packaging sheet (201) and back mainpackaging sheet (203). The layer of packaging sheet (401) is preferablymade of first materiel. The weakened sealing (104) is created at the toppart of edge-to-edge sealing by using any one of the four methodsdescribed above.

FIG. 10 shows a flexible six-side sealed pouch (500). A layer of firstpackaging sheet (501) is inserted at the bottom of the pouch betweenlower front main packaging sheet (201) and back main packaging sheet(203). A second of packaging sheet (502) is inserted at the top betweenupper front main packaging sheet (102) and back main packaging sheet(203). The first packaging sheet (501) and the second packaging sheet(502) are preferably made of first material. According to the currentinvention of the preferred embodiments, the weakened sealing (104) iscreated at the top part of edge-to-edge sealing. The weakened sealingcan be created by any one of the four methods described above.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A packaging with a reclosable opening comprising: a packaging bodycomprising an upper front main packaging sheet, a lower front mainpackaging sheet and a back main packaging sheet which are sealedtogether to form an edge-to-edge sealing; a reclosable opening on saidpackaging for inserting objects into said packaging; a diverting meanscovering said reclosable opening which is predisposed to direct airflowaway from said reclosable opening when there is an increase in internalair pressure; and a weakened sealing formed at part of said edge-to-edgesealing wherein said weakened sealing ruptures when said increase ininternal air pressure has build up to a critical point.
 2. The packagingwith improved reclosable opening according to claim 1 wherein saidweakened sealing is created by using a heat sealing temperature which islower than the sealing temperature used for forming the rest of saidedge-to-edge sealing.
 3. The packaging with improved reclosable openingaccording to claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is a designatedsealing area smaller than the sealing area of the rest of saidedge-to-edge sealing.
 4. The packaging with improved reclosable openingaccording to claim 1 wherein said weakened sealing is created by forminga notch on part of said edge-to-edge sealing.
 5. The packaging withimproved reclosable opening according to claim 1 wherein said weakenedsealing is created by disposing a film between said front and back mainpackaging sheets on part of said edge-to-edge sealing, wherein said filmis made of material different from either said front or back mainpackaging sheets.
 6. The packaging with improved reclosable openingaccording to claim 2 wherein said weakened sealing is at the top part ofsaid edge-to-edge sealing.
 7. The packaging with improved reclosableopening according to claim 1 wherein said critical point is reached whenthe internal air pressure is greater than external air pressure to asufficient extent to rupture said weakened sealing.
 8. The packagingwith improved reclosable opening according to claim 1 wherein saidreclosable opening is a zipper.
 9. The packaging with improvedreclosable opening according to claim 1 wherein said diverting means isan extended part of said upper front main packaging sheet.
 10. Apackaging with reclosable opening comprising: a reclosable opening onsaid packaging for inserting objects into the packaging; a divertingmeans covering said reclosable opening which is predisposed to directairflow away from said reclosable opening and part of said divertingmeans detaches from the rest of the packaging when an increase ininternal air pressure has build up to a critical point; a packaging bodycomprising an upper front main packaging sheet, a lower front mainpackaging sheet and a back main packaging sheet which are sealedtogether to form an edge-to-edge sealing; and a weakened sealing formedat said edge-to-edge sealing of said upper front main packaging sheetand said back main packaging sheet, said upper front main packagingsheet is made of material different from said back main packaging sheet,wherein said weakened sealing ruptures when said increase in internalair pressure has build up to a critical point.
 11. The packaging withimproved reclosable opening according to claim 10 wherein said lowerfront main packaging sheet is made of a second material and said backmain packaging sheet is made of third material, wherein saidedge-to-edge sealing formed by said lower front main packaging sheet andsaid back main packaging sheet is stronger than said weakened sealing.12. The packaging with improved reclosable opening according to claim 10wherein said diverting means is an extended part of said upper frontmain packaging sheet.
 13. The packaging with improved reclosable openingaccording to claim 10 wherein said critical point is reached when theinternal air pressure is greater than external air pressure to asufficient extent to rupture said weakened sealing.
 14. The packagingwith improved reclosable opening according to claim 10 wherein saidreclosable opening is a zipper.
 15. The packaging with improvedreclosable opening according to claim 3, wherein said weakened sealingis at the top part of said edge-to-edge sealing.
 16. The packaging withimproved reclosable opening according to claim 4, wherein said weakenedsealing is at the top part of said edge-to-edge sealing.
 17. Thepackaging with improved reclosable opening according to claim 5, whereinsaid weakened sealing is at the top part of said edge-to-edge sealing.